Dive Travel Notes
These are some notes I have compiled from sources around the web, drawing heavily from BA Diving, the email list for diving in the Bay Area. I tried to capture people's comments (which are more fleeting and harder to find again when planning a vacation), more than just regular diving articles (which would be easy to find with a Google search).
All credit goes to the people who posted the information. I have tried to give proper credit in all cases. This is an ongoing project.
Posted by Brian Herold on BA Diving on 22 April 2015.
"I haven't been to that island, but from what I remember there's an island off the southeast of Bali called Nusa Penida where there's mantas year round..."
Posted by Camilla Hall on BA Diving on 30 April 2015.
"And don't miss the USS Liberty on the north-ish side of Bali near the town of Tulamben. It is sunk in about 15-100ft of water within kicking distance..." (Read more)
Breakwater, Monterey, California
By Fofo Gonzalez, April 2015.
"So, for the Breakwater, at the parking lot there are some metered parking spots, for others you have to use the pay station ..." (Read more)
Posted by Rick Tavan on BA Diving on 28 December 2014.
"My all-time favorite is Little Cayman. Bloody Bay Wall is diver's Paradise. I stay at Pirates Point where the food is outstanding ..." (Read more)
By Jen Hopper, November 2014.
"If you only have one day for diving in Cozumel, a good day would be: Colombia Deep, Colombia Shallow or Gardens, and a night dive at Paradise Reef..."
Posted by Bill Gomez on BA Diving on 8 January 2015.
"You can drive a rental car from Playa del Carmen or Cancun to Chechen Itza on the toll road in about 4 hours..."
Posted by Bob Brockman on BA Diving on 8 January 2015.
"American Airlines is the way to go - you get in Cozumel at 12pm. I recommend flying into Texas the day before so you miss the red eye..."
Posted by Barbara Dwyer on BA Diving on 9 January 2015.
"I recommend contacting German Yañez on Cozumel. He has lived there for years and has explored the local caves..."
Posted by Kevin Dow on BA Diving on 9 January 2015.
"A couple other names as well that I would recommend if you are looking for an operator on the mainland side..." (Read more)
Posted by Rick Tavan on BA Diving on 28 December 2014.
"A little-mentioned operator on Maui that I like is Extended Horizons. They go to Lanai almost every day from Mala Wharf in Lahaina...." (Read more)
Posted by Barbara Dwyer on BA Diving on 27 December 2014.
"Look up Jim Wyatt in Key West. He's a cave diver/instructor who is teaching tech diving in Key West. Not sure about his boat situation. ..."
Posted by Scott Tims on BA Diving on 2 January 2015
"Spent our first day walking one end of the island to the other, checking everything out, specifically, dive shops and boats..."
Posted by Bob Halem on BA Diving on 7 January 2015.
"The Ocean Highway is an interesting drive, but I would probably find a way to do it one way next time. It looks the same going both ways..."
Posted by Bill Taylor on BA Diving on 7 January 2015.
"You might try Key largo instead of Key West for diving. The drive on the highway is pretty boring. There are some good wrecks out of Key Largo."
Posted by Ken Gwin on BA Diving on 7 January 2015.
"Key Largo has interesting diving. Key West has a little hut at the end of the road (can't go any more)..."
Posted by Janna Nichols on BA Diving on 8 January 2015.
"Just as an interesting aside to this - in spite of the fact that things are no longer what they used to be (same is true pretty much everywhere, I think)..."
Posted by Brian Correiar on BA Diving on 8 January 2015.
"Here's perhaps a slightly different thought on possible additions to your diving plans..."
By Melissa Coleman on The New York Times on 29 April 2015.
“ 'It’s the best place I’ve ever been any time, anywhere,” Ernest Hemingway wrote of Key West. “Flowers, tamarind trees, guava trees, coconut palms. …' " (Read more)
Posted by David Jolles on BA Diving on 11 March 2015.
"It's been a while since I was in Koh Samui so can't really provide relevant dive operator information. However, most of them will take you to Hin Bai..." (Read more)
Posted by Nancy Barnett on BA Diving on 5 April 2015.
"My family owned a home in Fort Bragg many years and Scott and I lived in it 50% for three years before moving to Prunedale..."
Posted by Charlie Notthoff on BA Diving on 6 April 2015.
"It looks like you've already gotten a lot of good suggestions. I'd like to add one more spot..."
Posted by Ben Troxell on BA Diving on 12 April 2015.
"We made 2 dives last Thursday (4/9) in Russian Gulch. The ocean was pretty calm (3’-4’) so we took our kayaks and paddled out..." (Read more)
Posted by Carol Rose on BA Diving on 1 May 2015.
"My dive clubs, now defunct, dove Pacifica occasionally. Rockaway all sand and great waves for body surfing ;-) ..."
Posted by John Yasaki on BA Diving on 1 May 2015.
"Used to know some guys who hunted halibut out of Pacifica. That’s all done over sand..." (Read more)
Posted by Claude Luu on BA Diving on 3 January 2015.
"Did one long dive at Point Lobos today. From the mouth of Whaler's Cove, swam to Hole in the Wall, Lone Metridium and onto Beto's Reef..."
Posted by Bruce Sawyer on BA Diving on 3 January 2015.
"Let me suggest one minor change which will give you a loop instead of coming back by the same path. When you’re about ..."
By Fofo Gonzalez, April 2015.
"For Point Lobos (map 1), you'll have to pay $10/car for entry fee, and $10/person for diving fee (and don't forget your certification card ..." (Read more)
Posted by Rick Tavan on BA Diving on 28 December 2014.
"Someone mentioned Saba, also a great destination. It's fairly deep, pinnacle diving with accommodations well up the mountain ..." (Read more)
Posted by Wayne King on BA Diving on 1 March 2015.
"Some of the better diving in French Polynesia is in Rangiroa. Big animals there. Since you are in the vicinity might be worth going there if you can..."
Posted by Bob Halem on BA Diving on 1 March 2015.
"Another thought about Bora Bora. I don't know if your wife is a diver, if not, and maybe even if yes, try the snorkel tour run by Patrick..."
Posted by Mark Weitz on BA Diving on 1 March 2015.
"I've got 20 or so dives on Mo'orea. I dived with Scuba Piti. At the time they were the only outfit that didn't chum for sharks... " (Read more)